Consistent Poverty Rates

What is Consistent Poverty?

The term consistent poverty describes someone whose income is below the relative/at risk of poverty threshold and who cannot afford at least two of the eleven deprivation indicators. The relative or at-risk of poverty threshold represents an income of less than 60% of the national median (middle) annual income. In 2014 the national median (middle) income was €18,210 making the at risk of poverty threshold €10,926 (€209.39 per week)

The 11 deprivation indicators are:

Two pairs of strong shoes

A warm waterproof overcoat

Buy new not second hand clothes

Eat meat, chicken, fish or a vegetarian equivalent every second day

Have a roast joint or its equivalent once a week

Had to go without heating during the last year through lack of money

Keep the home adequately warm

Buy presents for family or friends at least once a year

Replace any worn out furniture

Have family or friends for a drink or meal once a month

Have a morning, afternoon or evening out in the last fortnight for entertainment.

The Irish Government adopted a ‘national social target for poverty reduction which is “to reduce consistent poverty to 4 per cent by 2016 (interim target) and to 2 per cent or less by 2020, from the 2010 baseline rate of 6.2 per cent”.

Consistent Poverty in Ireland

The percentage of Irish people living in consistent poverty in 2014 was 8%, up from 4.2% in 2008.

The consistent poverty rate for the unemployed in 2013 was 22.6%, up from 9.7% in 2008.

Children remain the most vulnerable age group with 11.2% living in consistent poverty in 2014.

Consistent poverty in single parent households continues to rise increasing from 17.8% in 2008 to 22.1% in 2014.

Poverty and Socio-Demographic Characteristics

While prior to the crisis overall at-risk of poverty rates had been consistently decreasing, between 2009 and 2012 these figures increased from 14.1% to 16.5%. It fell to 15.2% in 2013 but increased again to 16.3% in 2014. However, consistent poverty has risen from 4.2% in 2008 to 8% in 2014 and material deprivation from 13.7% in 2008 to a shocking 29% of households in 2014. Household composition and socio-demographic characteristics, however, maintained a very significant influence on the risk of poverty. The Central Statistics Office has devised a series of indicators that are considered significant in determining whether a person is at risk of poverty such as age, employment status, number of dependents, level of education and tenure status.

In 2013 the consistent poverty rates for single parents, people with lower levels of education, children, those who are unemployed and those renting accommodation at below the market rate remained consistently high. There has been an increase over time in the consistent poverty rate of those at work from 1.1% in 2008 to 2.4% in 2014.

It is important to remember that the longer a person remains at risk of poverty, the more likely they will be considered to be in consistent poverty.

Consistent Poverty Rates by Demographic Characteristics and Year

* Sample size is too small for estimation.

Consistent Poverty Rate 2008 %

Consistent Poverty Rate 2014 %

Sex

Male

4.0

7.8

Female

4.5

8.3

Age Group

0 – 17

6.3

11.2

18 – 64

3.9

7.9

65 +

1.0

2.1

Principal Economic Status (aged 16 years and over)

At Work

1.1

2.4

Unemployed

9.7

22.6

Student

4.3

12.0

Home Duties

6.9

11.9

Retired

1.1

2.4

Not at Work due to Illness or Disability

13.2

13.2

Highest education level attained (aged 16 years and over)

Primary or Below

8.0

9.5

Lower Secondary

4.9

11.4

Higher Secondary

2.5

8.7

Post Leaving Cert

1.7

7.8

Third Level Non-Degree

0.8

4.1

Third Level Degree or Above

0.3

1.4

Numbers of People at Work

0

13.2

18.6

1

3.1

8.2

2

0.9

0.5

3+

*

1.4

Tenure Status

Owner Occupied

2.3

4.8

Rented at the market rate

2.9

9.2

Rented at below the market rate or rent free

16.4

21.3

Urban/rural location

Urban areas

4.2

7.6

Rural areas

4.3

8.7

Find the full report on Central Statistics Office website: www.cso.ie

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